The USA Eagles showed a touch of class before Sunday's morning Test in Washington DC, offering a gesture of support and respect to the All Blacks and late Māori All Black Sean Wainui.
After the national anthems at FedEx Field, the two sides took to the field to line up for the All Blacks' haka but before the challenge was issued, US captain Bryce Campbell came forward to the halfway line.
Campbell then presented a USA Eagles jersey with both the No.11 and "Wainui" written on the back and laid it on the ground for the All Blacks to receive.
Alongside the Wainui jersey a shirt with late All Black Jerry Collins and the words "legends never die" was also presented.
All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock and veteran hooker Dane Coles came forward to accept the gifts and shake Campbell's hand as the Chicago crowd applauded the emotional moment.
The rugby world was shaken on Monday after news surfaced Wainui, 25, had died in a car crash near Tauranga that morning.
Wainui represented the Chiefs, Bay of Plenty and the Māori All Blacks and had previously played for Taranaki and the Crusaders as well.
News of Wainui's death hit the All Blacks hard in the US as they prepared for Sunday's Test with former teammate Codie Taylor visibly emotional talking about him during an interview on Tuesday.
There are heavy hearts in the All Blacks camp after the death of the Chiefs star in a car crash.
"It’s pretty tough, I know there are a few boys in here really struggling, as you’d expect. We touched on it this morning as a group, and there will be another opportunity later on," Taylor said at the time.
The All Blacks dedicated their haka to Wainui on Sunday and also wore black arm bands in the game, which they went on to win 104-14.
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